Rain water harvesting systems would be incorporated in all temples in Tamil Nadu so that they would be recharged in the ongoing monsoon, according to a top official of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.

Al the encroachments on channels which traditionally supply water to the tanks would also be removed, HR & CE Commissioner J Chandrakumar said.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Teppakulam Mariamman tank here on Monday evening, he said orders had been given to block new channels. There are plans to lay a separate pipeline to bring Vaigai river water to Teppakulam tank in the temple in collaboration with Madurai Corporation, he said.

Mr. Chandrakumar inspected various HR & CE projects underway at Meenakshi temple, Tirupparankundram and Alagarkoil temples after which he visited Virudhunagar and Sivaganga districts and held a review meeting with officials to assess progress of various projects.

He was satisfied with progress of work in Madurai and said 60 per cent of the eco-park work at Tirupparankundram is over and the remaining work would be completed in three months.

Efforts are on to remove encroachments from a channel in Nilaiyur, which supplies water to Subramania Swamy Temple Teppam at Tirupparankundram after which it would receive copious water supply, he said.